open one's eyes

open (one's) eyes

1. To see or realize the truth about something. Open your eyes, Stan—they're just using you for cheap labor!
2. To cause one to see or realize the truth about something. The documentary really opened my eyes about the conditions in that country.
See also: eye, open
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

open one's eyes

Become or make someone aware of the truth of a situation, as in It's time you opened your eyes to the politics of this office, or The trip to Zimbabwe opened her eyes to the difficulties faced by developing nations. [Second half of 1800s]
See also: eye, open
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • open (one's) eyes
  • open someone's eyes
  • open your eyes
  • open your/somebody's eyes
  • open eyes
  • open eyes to
  • open (one's) eyes to (someone or something)
  • say it ain't so
  • get real
  • Get real!
References in periodicals archive
A Sacred Heart alumna herself, Considine deeply believes in the power of global education and travel to open one's eyes to the rich diversity and beauty in the world while highlighting people's shared humanity.
Substituting the word coworker (or self) for child may open one's eyes to frailties that are glaringly obvious to others in our circle.
"Films have the power to ignite one's passion, heal one's heart and open one's eyes to the possibilities this world has to offer.
A quest for these wild orchids is an adventure and will open one's eyes to the natural beauty that can be found in our state.
It's a story that will -- or at least, should -- open one's eyes to the fact that we share our universe in all its diversity with the animal world.
The written word can be so profound and can open one's eyes to untold joys.
Meanwhile, graphics wander across the screen, along with occasional instructions to close one's eyes, inviting transgressive play with the desire to open one's eyes and see the visual dance at work.
It really does open one's eyes when we have a pensioner who cannot afford half a dozen eggs.
Before the lights come up on the first scene, we hear a woman's voice insistently repeat the phrase, "abre los ojos." The words seem to constitute an invitation, if not a promise: to open one's eyes is to leave off dreaming and to face the world anew.
"General Alert--Works, 1974-2007," the traveling retrospective of the work of Sanja Ivekovic (curated by Natasa Ilic and Kathrin Romberg), served to open one's eyes to the recent history of the former Yugoslavia.
While this approach to changing careers is very specific, the book never fails to open one's eyes to the logic of finding work that aligns with his or her preferences, likes, and dislikes.
The proof is to open one's eyes and take a good look around our borough.
Simply to walk outside one's residence and open one's eyes and ears is to know that something powerful is going on.